And while some of us cheer on those first 500 recipients and patiently wait for our chance at COVID protection, many others remain unsure.
And as vaccination becomes even a remote possibility, public opinion is the unknown variable. We asked Dr. Beer whether the Ministry has polled any data on how Belizeans feel about getting the vaccine.
Dr. Natalia Beer, Technical Advisor for Maternal and Child Health, Ministry of Health and Wellness
"We don't have any polling so far for the general population but we've already started the conversation at the district level, the district teams are meeting with their stakeholders and getting the information out on the importance of the uptake of the COVID-19 vaccine."
Cherisse Halsall:
"But you've said that you have polled healthcare workers what was their response."
Dr. Natalia Beer
"Healthcare workers, right now they are polling information of their acceptance of the COVID-19 vaccine which we expect will be high because they are the ones that are working the extra hours and going the extra mile to provide the regular services plus the services from the COVID units so the report that I saw earlier which just a sub-sample of that show's that at least 53% of the healthcare workers are willing to accept the vaccine now, 35% still need a little bit more information, and 12% were saying no. Since then we have enhanced the sensitization of our health care workers, they are vital, we need to protect them and they need to protect themselves, to protect the patients, and their loved ones."
